Programme Officer (PO), Postal Policy at Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of fifteen West African countries. Founded on 28 May 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, its mission is to promote economic integration across the region.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Officer (PO), Postal Policy

Job Code: 20000156
Location: Abuja
Institution: ECOWAS Commission
Grade: P3/P4
Department: Infrastructure, Energy & Digitalisation
Directorate: Digital Economy & Post
Division: Telecoms & Post Policy and Regulation
Line Supervisor: PPO Telecoms & Post Policy and Regulation

Role Overview

• Under the supervision of the PPO Telecoms & Post Policy and Regulation, the PO Postal Policy will ensure the implementation of Community Postal programmes at national and regional levels.
• He/she will contribute to developing postal policies and strategies as well as creating increased awareness of the digitalization of Postal Services

Role and Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes in the Postal Services Master Plan.
• Coordinate with other directorates of the Commission to ensure alignment of postal policies with the aim of facilitating regional trade and commerce.
• Supervise activities and studies on Postal projects, analyzes the results and proffers advice on the development of Postal Services in the ECOWAS region.
• Oversee regional projects for improvement of cross-border mail transmission and money transfers.
• Promote the modernization of postal services in West Africa, e.g. e-connectivity and introduction of e-products and services
• Monitor world trends in postal product development and quality improvement
• Coordinate and follow up postal reform programmes in the region.
• Assist in developing partnerships with WAPCO, AUC, PAPU and UPU to introduce affordable postal services including remittance services.

Academic Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent degree in Postal and Financial Services, Economics, Law, public administration management or related field
• A minimum of five years relevant professional experience in the postal sector in planning, management and implementation of postal programmes with substantial period spent in West Africa.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the history, political context and background of the policy area in a sector or field of operation (eg Postal Policy Regulation, etc) to assist in development and use of a sound evidence base policy formulation and implementation
• Ability to understand and apply approaches, techniques and tools that draw on a wide range of inputs and improve the quality and pace of policy making.
• Good experience in Postal Policy and Postal Financial system
• Good ability to establish and maintain effective relationship with postal administrations, government officials, professional associations in the postal sector and development partners.
• Ability to work in team and in a multicultural environment.

Age Limit:

• Be below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates.

ECOWAS Key Competencies:

• Ability to persuade/influence others to consider a certain point of view, adopt a new idea or implement new methods and practices.
• Ability to lead a team of trainees/junior staff and instil a spirit of teamwork to engage employees and achieve a well-defined set of activities.
• Ability to respect the chain of command in an appropriate manner.
• Ability to resolve challenges that occur with minimal direction and/or to recommend and explain solutions or alternatives for approval.
• Ability to utilize the Code of Ethics to manage self, others, information and resources.
• Ability to mentor others and create feedback loops with supervisors, colleagues and subordinates to build strong working relationships and improve performance.
• Contribute to maintaining the organizational unit’s performance goals and standards.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to keep a client informed of progress or setbacks in projects of relevance to the timeline, quality and quantity.
• Ability to proactively interact with clients and build strong trusting relationships based on mutual respect and regular discussions.
• Ability to establish and sustain professional credibility with clients/stakeholders in a manner that anticipates their needs mitigates issues and carefully balances professional obligations with the need to be sensitive and responsive to their needs.
• Ability to counsel, advise, consult and guide others on matters pertaining to assigned client service responsibilities and established client service standards.
• Demonstrate respect for cultural differences, fairness and ability to relate well with people from varied backgrounds, nationality, gender, ethnicity, race and religion.
• Understanding of diverse cultural views especially within West Africa, with sensitivity to group differences; ability to challenge bias and to practice tolerance and empathy.
• Ability to listen actively, consider people’s concerns and apply judgment, tact and diplomacy.
• ability to work in a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths.
• Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Ability to encourage, empower, and advocate for people in an unbiased and transparent manner.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions, sectors, programmes and policies.
• Knowledge of ECOWAS internal operational requirements of programs, projects, services and systems required to achieve work assignments and meet performance goals.
• Knowledge of rules and procedures of ECOWAS associated assigned responsibilities and ability to explain these clearly to others.
• Knowledge of the ECOWAS culture, structures and performance issues and priorities impacting assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/programme assigned to own position.
• Ability to study data/information from a variety of sources, identify anomalies, trends and issues, present findings, and make recommendations.
• Ability to break down problems or processes into key parts to identify and solve gaps in service, quality assurance, compliance and performance targets.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply techniques to generate creative ideas and new approaches to meeting goals.
• Ability to use evidence and research to inform policies and programs and identify relevant and appropriate sources of information, including stakeholders, regional institutions and/or internal committees.
• Demonstrate operational computer proficiency using appropriate tools.
• Ability to make sound use of graphics and tables to effectively present numerical data to write semi-complex technical reports/proposals and edit/check templates, letters, etc.
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both writing and verbal means.
• Exhibit interpersonal skills, make presentations, express opinions and debate ideas with others in a constructive manner.
• Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT);
• Fluency in oral and written expressions in one of the ECOWAS official languages of the Community (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of an additional one will be an added advantage.
• Ability to develop, implement an individual action plan for achieving specific work goals.
• Identify, organize and monitor tasks throughout to facilitate execution.
• Ability to contribute and/or lead on projects as per accepted project management standards and techniques, to co-ordinate contributions by others to set and meet deadlines.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, and work within timelines, giving attention to details, stakeholders, indicators and risks.
• Ability to identify, collect and assess indicators to monitor performance and to take proactive remedial action as required.

Salary
USD77,480.72 - USD89,289.87 Annually.

Application Closing Date
6th March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their correctly filled Application Form, Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Motivation letter to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.

Click here to download the application form (Docx.)

Note

• Female applications are encouraged.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications initially submitted with only the CV remain acceptable.
• ECOWAS does not charge a fee for recruitment and will not request for your account details.